The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-30
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
A Suggestion in Heraldry.

To the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal:
In feudal times if n man performed any great
feat of prowess, his sovereign granted him the
right to blazon it upon coat-of-arms, which he
and his descendants were entitled to in
perpetual remembrance of the gr eat deed per-
formed. This right belonged not only to ndi-
viduals. but to municipalities and other corpor-
ate bodies. The custom has fallen into what
the Democracy would call 'innocuous desue-
tude." and hear little in America of the art of
heraldry. In the long run, this is probably q
good thing. but on some accounts it is to be re-
gretted There some acts performed even
to day which deserve to be held in perpetual re-
mem berance, and the visible reminder of a coat
of-arms might be of considerable aid. For in
stance, the work of the present board of trustees
of the Hospital for the Insane ought not to be
forgotten. Might suggest, through your col
umns. a of-arms which would worthy
commemorate their administration Let il be
follows:
Three hogs couchant upon field vert quar-
tered, with maegots rampant upon field argent,
and crossed By bar sinister; crest, skipper.
Thus we might portrayed things that are
both actual and symbolic These hogs would
represent the animals which had an actual ex-
istence inthe drove purchased from Mr. Landers.
They are couchant T. O., lying down. because
they cannot get up, having the cholera. They
are lying upon field vert, being the green past
ure rented of the Hon. William H English.
They are quartered. this representing the opera
ton performed at the asylum that they might be
has. also, symbolic meaning. the three animals
designating the three members of the board
whose porcine instincts had led them to devour
everything in sight for the supposed benefit of
themselves and the Democratic party They,
too. are couchant in view of their fallen reputa-
tions. The larger at the bottom might be
recognized disclosing the ample bay
window of DR.. Harrison. In the al
ternate quarters find the maggots.
These rampant, being in much
healthier condition than the hogs. They, too,
have both actual and symbolic existence.
They exist in fact in the butter furnished the
patients. and the silver field upon which they
disclosed might stand for the profits of Mr..
Sullivan. They also represent sym bolically the
general corruption of the administration; and
across the whole is the bar sinister, which shows
the illegitimate character of the management,
especially of the system of contract supplies
This bar is not intended to designate the char
acter of DR.. Harrison's medical practice in Leb-
anon-this to prevent Misunderstanding The
crest is a skipper, of Sulllvan's, which has
also it's sym bolic meaning, as a prophecy of the
liveness with which the board itself will skip"
after the next general election.
This device the trustees might use as a seal
upon their official documents, especially upon
contracts for supplies. With such device they
successfully resist the assaults of slauderous
Investigators. A banner bearing this coat-of-
arms might also be proudly unfured to the
morning breeze from each of the turrets of the
hospital ANTIoUARY
P. S. AS a motto. permit me to suggest, "In
hog siguo vnces."